Cambering vehicle

ABSTRACT

A cambering vehicle includes a front column, left and a right trailing arms each having a front portion pivotally attached to either the front column or a bracket attached thereto by a pivot axle which is preferably inclined relative to the bracket or the front column. A detachable latching device may be used to detachably latch the bracket, if so provided, and thus the trailing arms to the front column at the working position. The bracket and thus the trailing arm may be rotated relative to the front column to the folding position when the detachably latching device releases the bracket relative to the front column. The cambering vehicle may also include a link connect the trailing arms independent of the front column, and a braking mechanism to inhibit forward movement of the cambering vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present continuation-in-part application relates to U.S. applicationSer. No. 10/608,399, filed Jun. 23, 2003 and U.S. application Ser. No.10/608,398, filed Jun. 23, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,880,840, thedisclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cambering vehicle of the type havinga single front wheel extending from a vertical steering stem's lowerextremity and two rear wheels, each attached to one of a pair ofhorizontal trailing arms pivotally attached to the steering stem.Typically, handlebars attach to the steering stem's upper extremity topermit manipulation of the single wheel. Above the rear wheels on eachof the trailing arms are platforms for the user to stand on whileoperating the vehicle. More particularly, the cambering vehicle of thepresent invention also includes a novel structure which may be readilyfolded for storage or transport, for example. Another embodiment of thecambering vehicle of the present invention includes a novel crossbarmember spanning the two trailing arms.

Various conventional cambering vehicles have been developed. Suchconventional vehicles are generally operator propelled three wheeledvehicles comprising a front column having a steering shaft rotatablyattached thereto, a front wheel attached to the bottom of the steeringshaft, and a pair of laterally spaced rear wheels on trailing arms whichare articulated to the front column. More complex vehicles also includeadditional elements, including brakes.

To move the vehicle, the operator stands upon platforms provided on eachtrailing arm. By alternately leaning left and right, the vehicle willcamber left and right. This cambering induces a force between the rearwheels and a surface upon which the vehicle is placed. The forceproduces work driving the vehicle forward along a sinusoidal path, thefrequency of which is related to the user's input of alternate leans andthe amplitude of which is related to the speed of the vehicle.

More recent of the conventional cambering vehicles are designed to befolded into a compact configuration for storage or transport, forexample. Several of the prior art cambering vehicles fold at theconnection of the steering stem and the trailing arms. Other vehicleshave trailing arms with intermediate folding mechanisms. Such vehiclesoften suffer from the application of unwanted flexing within thetrailing arm. Also, such folding mechanisms typically includequick-release type features, which may cause folding of the device atinadvertent times, or which may be difficult to operate.

The trailing arms of conventional vehicles have their front endsrotatably or pivotally secured to the front column by utilizing anattachment fitting or shaft that is perpendicular to the front column.When the vehicle is cambered toward one side, such as the right side,the left trailing arm and thus the left rear wheel may be forced orcaused to be moved upwardly away from the ground, or may not be suitablycontacted with the ground.

Conversely, when the vehicle is cambered toward the other side, forexample the left side, the right trailing arm and thus the right rearwheel may also be forced or caused to be moved upwardly away from theground, or may not be suitably contacted with the ground, such that thevehicle may not be stable as it travels along the sinusoidal path.

Aspects of the present invention mitigate and/or obviate theaforementioned disadvantages of the conventional cambering vehicles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed acambering vehicle for human propelled transport comprising an elongatefront column having a longitudinal axis; first and second pivot axles atthe front column, a first trailing arm pivotally attached to the firstpivot axle; a second trailing arm pivotally attached to the second pivotaxle; and first and second rear wheels associated with the first andsecond trailing arms; wherein the first and second pivot axles areinclined from an imaginary line perpendicular to the longitudinal axisof the front column. The inclination may be downward. The front columnmay further comprise an internal steering stem with a front fork. Thefront fork may have a front wheel rotatably engaged thereto. Theinternal steering stem may rotate within the front column turning thefront wheel to steer the cambering vehicle. The vehicle may furthercomprise a handle in communication with the steering stem wherein thehandle is adapted so as to selectively rotate the internal steering stemwithin the front column. The cambering vehicle may also comprise abreaking mechanism for retarding rotation of one or both of the firstand second rear wheels. Alternatively, the cambering vehicle maycomprise a breaking system where the system comprises a hand actuatedlever mounted upon the handle, a breaking mechanism adjacent to thefirst rear wheel, and a cable connecting the breaking mechanism to thehand actuated lever, where actuation of the hand actuated lever pullsthe cable forcing the breaking mechanism against the first wheel withsufficient friction to retard rotation of the first rear wheel. Thecambering vehicle may further comprise a cross bar linking the firsttrailing arm to the second trailing arm. The cross bar may comprise afirst end pivotally secured to one of the first and second trailing armswith a first pin. The first pin may be selectively removably. Thecambering vehicle may further comprise a cover assembly engaged with thecross bar and adapted to protect the first pin from being decoupled fromthe cross bar when in a first position.

The cover assembly may be rotatably engaged to the cross bar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed outand distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification.The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation,together with features, objects, and advantages thereof may best beunderstood by reference to the following detailed description when readwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cambering vehicle constructed inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the cambering vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial exploded view of the cambering vehicle ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the cambering vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the cambering vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the cambering vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are enlarged partial side views illustrating the foldingoperation of the cambering vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a front view of a bracket which forms a part of the camberingvehicle of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are enlarged partial side views similar to FIGS. 7 and 8respectively, illustrating the folding operation of the camberingvehicle of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 12 is a front view of the bracket forming a part of the camberingvehicle of the present invention, similar to FIG. 9, illustrating asecond embodiment of the cambering vehicle;

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of a cambering vehicle in accordance with athird embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the cambering vehicle of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the cambering vehicle of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a top view of the cambering vehicle of FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 is a front view of the cambering vehicle of FIG. 13;

FIG. 18 is a schematic view illustrating the operation of the camberingvehicle in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 19 is a partial exploded view illustrating a fourth embodiment ofthe cambering vehicle of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1-6, a camberingvehicle 1 in accordance with the first embodiment of the presentinvention comprises a front column 2 including a front tube 20, asteering shaft 30, a portion of which is rotatably engaged or disposedconcentrically within the front tube 20, a front fork 31 attached to abottom end of the steering shaft 30 to support a front wheel 32, and ahandle 34 supported on a top end of the steering shaft 30.

The steering shaft 30 may preferably be provided with a stem 33retractably received therein and extendible outwardly therefrom, oradjustably secured to the steering shaft 30 with a device such as aquick release clamp 39. The handle 34 is secured on top of the steeringshaft 30 or on top of the stem 33 of the steering shaft 30, if soprovided. One or more, and preferably two, brake hand grips 35 areattached to the handle 34 for braking purposes, and are coupled tocables 36 respectively.

As shown in FIG. 3, the front column 2 may include an extension 21attached to or extended from the front tube 20, such as attached to theupper portion 22 of the front tube 20. The extension 21 comprises anaperture 21 a for receiving a spring-biased latch device 23. Thespring-biased latch device 23 is attached to the extension 21 of thefront tube 20, and includes a latch pin 24 extendible through theaperture 21 a of extension 21, downwardly toward the lower portion 25 ofthe front tube 20.

A bracket 7 is rotatably or pivotally attached to the front tube 20 ofthe front column 2 with a pivot shaft 71. For example, as shown in FIGS.7-8 and 10-11, the bracket 7 includes a lower portion 70 rotatably orpivotally attached to the lower portion 25 of the front tube with thepivot shaft 71, to allow the bracket 7 to be rotated relative to thefront tube 20 about pivot shaft 71.

The bracket 7 includes an upper panel 72 having an orifice 73 formedtherein in registration with aperture 21 a of extension 21 for receivingthe latch pin 24 of the latch device 23 which may detachably or openlysecure the upper panel 72 of the bracket 7 to the front tube 20. Forexample, the bracket 7 may be rotated to or away from the front tube 20when the latch pin 24 of the latch device 23 is disengaged from theupper panel 72 of the bracket 7, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 11.

The latch device 23 comprises a circular cap 24 a with a threaded shaft24 b extending therefrom. The orifice 73 of upper panel 72 may be tappedto matingly engage with the threaded shaft 24 b, such that twisting ofthe circular cap 24 a in a first direction will engage the threadedshaft within the orifice. Such engagement may be utilized to lock thebracket 7, to place the cambering vehicle 1 in the assembled conditionshown in FIGS. 7 and 10. It will be appreciated that twisting of thecircular cap 24 a in a second direction, opposite that of the firstdirection, will disengage the threaded shaft 24 b from the orifice 73 tounlock the bracket 7, such that the cambering vehicle 1 may be placed inthe folded condition shown in FIGS. 8 and 11.

Alternatively, the latch device 23 may be provided with an internalspring (not shown) mounted between the circular cap 24 a and thethreaded shaft 246, such that the threaded shaft 24 b is centeredconcentric with the spring. The spring may serve the purpose of causingthe latch pin 24 to be released from the aperture 21 a and orifice 73upon upward force exerted on the circular cap 24 a, but be retainedtherein absent an external force. Preferably, the threaded shaft 24 bwill remain within the aperture 21 a at all times during this alternateoperation, even when the latch pin 24 is pulled from within the aperture21 a and orifice 73. Of course, the spring rate should be sufficientlylow to permit a user to easily compress the spring to withdraw the latchpin 24 from the aperture 21 a and orifice 73, but sufficiently high toretain the latch device 23 in a secure manner.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10 when the latch pin 24 of the latch device 23is engaged into the orifice 73 of the upper panel 72 of the bracket 7,the bracket 7 may be solidly secured to the front tube 20 with thespring-biased latch device 23. The spring-biased latch device 23 maythus be used as a latching means or device to detachably secure thebracket 7 to the front tube 20.

The bracket 7 includes two socket openings 74 formed therein and definedby two frames 75 respectively. Each socket opening 74 has a longitudinalaxis or pivotal axis 76 inclined relative to the longitudinal axis 77 ofthe bracket 7 (FIG. 9) that is generally parallel to the front tube 20,such that the socket openings 74 and/or the frames 75 may also bearranged and inclined relative to the front tube 20 when the bracket 7is secured to the front tube 20 (FIGS. 1, 4, 6, 7).

As shown in FIG. 9, the pivotal axes 76 of the socket openings 74 and/orthe frames 75 are illustrated to be extended inclinedly and downwardlyrelative to the bracket 7. However, the pivotal axes 76 of the socketopenings 74 and/or the frames 75 may also be arranged in differentinclination relative to the bracket 7. For example, as shown in FIG. 12,the pivotal axes 76 of the socket openings 74 and/or the frames 75 mayalso be arranged to be extended inclinedly and upwardly relative to thebracket 7.

A left trailing arm and a right trailing arm 40 each include a frontportion rotatably or pivotally attached to the bracket 7 with pivotaxles 78 respectively. For example, each of the trailing arms 40includes a bushing 41 attached or provided on the front portion thereof,and rotatably attached onto the pivot axles 78 that are secured to theframes 75 of the bracket respectively, for rotatably or pivotallycoupling the trailing arms 40 to the front tube 20 with the bracket 7.

The front portions or the bushings 41 of the trailing arms 40 may berotatably attached to the pivot axles 78 respectively with washers,gaskets, bearings 43 or the like, for allowing the front portions or thebushings 41 of the trailing arms 40 to be rotatably coupled to the fronttube 20. Each of the trailing arms 40 includes a downwardly dependentrear wheel 45 rotatably attached to its rear end. Each trailing arm 40also includes a foot pedal 46 disposed thereon, to support users.

The front portions or the bushings 41 of the trailing arms 40 merge thepivotal axes 76 of the socket openings 74 and/or the frames 75respectively, such that the front portions or the bushings 41 of thetrailing arms 40 also arranged to be inclined relative to thelongitudinal axis 77 of the bracket 7 that is parallel to the front tube20.

The cambering vehicle 1 may further include two brake devices 47attached to the rear portions of the trailing arms 40 respectively, forbraking the rear wheels 45 respectively. The brake hand grips 35 arecoupled to the brake devices 47 with the cables 36 respectively, inorder to actuate the brake devices 47 to brake the rear wheels 45. Uponactuation of the brake hand grips 35, the brake device 47 is rotated bya cable 36 such that the brake device contacts the rear wheel 45 causingfriction therebetween. It will be appreciated that the components may besized such that sufficient friction will build up to safely and quicklystop the vehicle 1 from the brake speed for which it is designed.

Each of the trailing arms 40 may include one or more ears 48 securedthereto or extended therefrom. The ears 48 of the trailing arms 40typically face toward each other. A cable or a link 50 includes two ends51 pivotally or rotatably secured to the ears 48 of the trailing arms 40with gaskets, bearings, rubber bushings 53 or the like. One end 51 ofthe link 50 may be rotatably attached to the ears 48 of one of thetrailing arms with a pivot pin 49, and the other end 51 of the link 50may be rotatably and detachably coupled to the ears 48 of the othertrailing arm 40 with a fastener, a latch pin 55 or the like, for quickremoval. The fastener 55 may be covered by a shield (not shown) toprevent accidental removal of the fastener. The shield may be rotatablyor slidably engaged to the link 50, such that it may easily be removedto permit a user to remove the fastener 55 from the link. A chain,string or similar device may be utilized to secure the fastener 55 tothe shield, or other component of the vehicle 1, so it will not be lostupon removal.

In operation, the operator alternates the shifting of his or her weightto the inside of each turning arc, to shift the center of mass to theinside of each arc. This shifting causes the front column 2 to be tiltedrelative to the ground, to result a series of accelerations pushing thevehicle forward in a sinusoidal path to attain a forward motion.

The inclination of the pivot axles 78 relative to the bracket 7 or thefront tube 20 respectively may cause or generate a different movingstroke of the vehicle as compared with the moving strokes of theconventional cambering vehicles, which typically include a pair oftrailing arms having front ends rotatably secured to the front columnwith an attachment fitting or shaft that is perpendicular to the frontcolumn.

The inclination of the pivot axles 78 relative to the front tube 20 ofthe front column 2 respectively may also be changed or selected to causedifferent moving stroke of the vehicle, and thus to change theaccelerations of the vehicle. It is preferable, but not necessary, thatthe pivot axles 78 are arranged symmetric relative to the front column 2or relative to the bracket 7.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the latch pin 24 of the spring biased latchdevice 23 is disengaged from the upper panel 72 of the bracket 7, thebracket 7 and thus the trailing arms 40 may be rotated relative to ortoward the front tube 20 or the front column 2 to a compact folding orstoring position.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the latch pin 24 of the spring-biased latchdevice 23 is engaged into the orifice 73 of the upper panel 72 of thebracket 7, the trailing arms 40 may be solidly secured to the front tube20 at a working position or assembled condition, and to retain thevehicle in a tricycle-shaped cambering vehicle.

It is to be noted that, due to the inclination of the pivot axles 78relative to the bracket 7 or the front tube 20, the trailing arms 40 maybe rotated or spaced away from each other when the link 50 is disengagedfrom the trailing arms 40 to place the vehicle 1 in the folded orstoring position. The foldable structure of the trailing arms 40 towardor relative to the front column 2 allows the cambering vehicle to befolded to a compact folding or storing position.

Accordingly, the cambering vehicle includes a left and a right trailingarm rotatably or pivotally attached to a front column with inclinedaxles, to allow the trailing arms and the rear wheels to be movedwithout being moved upwardly away from the ground, and to change themoving stroke of the vehicle. The trailing arms may also be foldedrelative to the front column between folding or storing positions andworking positions.

Referring to FIGS. 13-17, a cambering vehicle 101 in accordance with thethird embodiment of the present invention comprises a front column 102including a front tube 120, a steering shaft 130 rotatably engaged ordisposed concentrically within the front tube 120, a front fork 131attached to bottom of the steering shaft 130 to support a front wheel132, and a handle 134 supported on top of the steering shaft 130.

The steering shaft 130 may further include a stem 133 retractablyreceived therein and extendible outwardly therefrom, or adjustablysecured to the steering shaft 130 with various mechanisms, such as aquick release clamp 139. The handle 134 is secured on top of thesteering shaft 130 or on top of the stem 133 of the steering shaft 130.One or more, for example two, brake hand grips 135 may be attached tothe handle 134 for braking purposes, and are coupled to cables 136respectively. As will be discussed, the cables 136 are routed to brakingelement 147, respectively.

The front column 102 includes two pivot axles 121 and 122 extended fromthe front tube 120, and inclined from the horizontal relative to thefront tube 120. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the pivot axles 121 and122 and illustrated to be extended inclinedly downward relative to thefront tube 120. However, alternatively, as shown in FIG. 19, the pivotaxles 121 and 122 may also be extended inclinedly upward relative to thefront tube 120.

A left trailing arm and a right trailing arm 140 each include a frontportion rotatably or pivotally attached to the front tube 120 of thefront column 102 with the pivot axles 121 and 122 respectively. Forexample, each of the trailing arms 140 includes a bushing 141 attachedor provided on the front portion thereof, and rotatably attached ontothe pivot axles 121 and 122 respectively, for rotatably or pivotallycoupling the trailing arms 140 to the front tube 120 of the front column102.

The front portions or the bushings 141 of the trailing arms 140 may berotatably attached to the pivot axles 121 and 122 respectively withbearings 142, washers 143, gaskets or the like, and secured to the pivotaxles 121 and 122 with fasteners 144 respectively, in order to solidlyor stably couple the trailing arms 140 to the front tube 120 of thefront column 102. Each of the trailing arms 140 includes a rear wheel145 rotatably attached to the rear end, a foot pedal 146 disposedthereon to support users.

The cambering vehicle 101 may further include two brake devices 147attached to the rear portions of the trailing arms 140 respectively, forbraking the rear wheels 145 respectively. The brake hand grips 135 arecoupled to the brake devices 147 with the cables 136 respectively inorder to actuate the brake devices 147 to brake the rear wheels 145.

It is to be noted that the pivot axles 121 and 122 are illustrated orshown to be secured to or extended from the front tube 120 of the frontcolumn 102 respectively. However, the pivot axles 121 and 122 may alsobe provided on the front portions of the trailing arms 140, androtatably or pivotally attached to the front tube 120 of the frontcolumn 102 respectively with such as bushings (not shown) or the likethat may be secured or extended inclinedly from the front tube 120 ofthe front column 102.

Each of the trailing arms 140 may include one or more ears 148 securedthereto or extended therefrom, where the ears 148 of the trailing arms140 are facing toward each other. A cable or a link 150 includes twoends 151 to be pivotally or rotatably secured to the ears 148 of thetrailing arms 140 with gaskets or bearings 153 or the like. One end 151of the link 150 may be rotatably attached to the ears 148 of one of thetrailing arms 140 with a pivot pin 149, and the other end 151 of thelink 150 may be rotatably and detachably coupled to the ears 148 of theother trailing arm 140 with a fastener (not shown), a latch pin 155 orthe like.

In operation, the cambering vehicle 101 operates in virtually the samemanner as the cambering vehicle 1, previously described. However, inorder to fold the cambering vehicle 101, one merely needs to disconnectthe fastener, such as latch pin 155, connecting the ear 148 to thetrailing arm 140.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree ofparticularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure hasbeen made by way of example only and that numerous changes in thedetailed construction and the combination and arrangement of parts maybe resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention ashereinafter claimed.

1. A cambering vehicle for human propelled transport comprising: anelongate front column having a longitudinal axis; first and second pivotaxles at said front column; a first trailing arm pivotally attached tosaid first pivot axle; a second trailing arm pivotally attached to saidsecond pivot axle; and, first and second rear wheels associated withsaid first and second trailing arms; wherein said first and said secondpivot axles are inclined from an imaginary line perpendicular to saidlongitudinal axis of said front column.
 2. The cambering vehicle ofclaim 1, wherein said inclination is downward.
 3. The cambering vehicleof claim 1, wherein said front column further comprises an internalsteering stem with a front fork, said front fork having a front wheelrotatably engaged thereto, and wherein said internal steering stem mayrotate within said front column turning said front wheel to steer saidcambering vehicle.
 4. The cambering vehicle of claim 3, furthercomprising a handle in communication with said steering stem, saidhandle adapted so as to selectively rotate said internal steering stemwithin said front column.
 5. The cambering vehicle of claim 1, furthercomprising a braking mechanism for retarding rotation of one or both ofsaid first and second rear wheels.
 6. The cambering vehicle of claim 4,further comprising a braking system, said braking system comprising ahand-actuated lever mounted upon said handle, a braking mechanismadjacent said first rear wheel, and a cable connecting said brakingmechanism to said hand-actuated lever, wherein actuation of saidhand-actuated lever pulls said cable forcing said braking mechanismagainst said first wheel with sufficient friction to retard rotation ofsaid first rear wheel.
 7. The cambering vehicle of claim 1, furthercomprising a crossbar linking said first trailing arm to said secondtrailing arm.
 8. The cambering vehicle of claim 7, wherein said crossbarcomprises a first end pivotally secured to one of said first and saidsecond trailing arms with a first pin.
 9. The cambering vehicle of claim8, wherein said first pin is selectively removable.
 10. The camberingvehicle of claim 9, further comprising a cover assembly engaged withsaid crossbar and adapted to protect said first pin from being decoupledfrom said crossbar when in a first position.
 11. The cambering vehicleof claim 10, wherein said cover assembly is rotatably engaged to saidcrossbar.